Community Q&A

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Tips

Teach your children to never snap their fingers or scream out to a waiter too. It is not cute.

Be clear if you have a special order and make sure that your waiter understands. If you want your steak well done, make sure to specify it in your order. Waiters can not mind read or know how you like it.

If you don't like your table, don't tell the waiter. The time to ask for a different table is when the restaurant host sits you down for the meal. If you don't want to be placed near the bathrooms, tell the host/hostess before you start even walking towards the table. Or better yet, make a reservation whenever you can and be specific about where you want to be seated.

If you have horrendous service, complain to the restaurant manager, not to the waiter. It is more effective.

Do be courteous if you knock over a drink or your child spills milk. Tell the bus boy right away. Always ask for a sippy cup for small children.Never ignore a spilled drink because someone could fall.

If you can not get any service, flag down another waiter or even a bus boy.

If you are bringing hungry children to a busy restaurant, tell your waiter when he first walks up, that you need to have bread or crackers brought with the drinks. Try to think of everything you might need when ordering the meal from extra napkins or plates, straws and condiments. Plan ahead when you order will save you time and will make you a winner with your waiter. Also always bring some toys for small kids to distract them while you wait.

Address the waiter as "waiter," not "sir."

Warnings

Never call out "Garçon" or "Niño" (they both mean 'kid or boy in French and Spanish respectively, or the female equivalents either). Again it is not cute nor funny. Save your jokes for someone who is not very busy.

Don't send out family members to look for the waiter especially children. It is dangerous in a busy restaurant.

Never scream out or stand up at your table looking for a waiter. It is rude! Don't ask your waiters name just so you can shout it out across the room.